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Denver Alarm Permit: Cost, False Alarm Fees and How to Register
In Denver, a monitored home burglar alarm needs a $25 permit from the Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection, renewed for $25 a year. False burglar alarms carry no fine, but after five in a permit year that are upheld (or not appealed), police stop sending a patrol car until your next permit year; each false panic or hold-up alarm police respond to costs $50.[1,2,3,4]
Denver alarm permit at a glance
| Who needs a permit | Alarm systems at homes and businesses in the City and County of Denver.[3] |
|---|---|
| Which alarms are covered | Alarm systems that alert people outside the premises to a break-in (or to a fire) through a monitoring center, a private security service or a direct connection to police or fire. Panic and hold-up (police alert) alarms need a permit too. Not covered: sounder-only local alarms, car alarms, proprietary systems, alarms required by the Denver Building or Fire Code, and government and public-school systems. One permit per premises.[4] |
| Residential permit fee | New: $25 Renewal: $25 · valid 12 months[1,2,5] |
| Fee exemptions | Not confirmed. Denver lists no fee waivers for homeowners. Government agencies, public schools and other public entities are outside the alarm rules and may get a permit but don't have to.[4] |
| Free false alarms | Burglar alarms: no money fine; Panic and hold-up alarms: none in each permit year[3,4] |
| If you have no permit | Police response is not guaranteed for an alarm without a permit. The city says police may refuse to dispatch when the alarm company gives an invalid or nonexistent permit number.[4,3] |
| Runs the program | Denver Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection (alarms division)[4,2] |
| When to apply | Before you use the alarm: the code makes it unlawful to operate one without first getting a permit. The city says applications are processed the day they are received.[4,3] |
False alarm fees in Denver
False alarms are counted over each permit year[4]. Each fee below is charged per false alarm.
Residential burglar alarms (with a permit)
| False alarm | Fee |
|---|---|
| 1st and each after | No fine — after 5 false alarms upheld in a permit year, police treat the alarm as a general broadcast instead of an emergency call[3] |
Residential panic and hold-up alarms (with a permit)
| False alarm | Fee |
|---|---|
| 1st and each after | $50[4] |
If false alarms keep happening: This is a change in response status, not a revoked permit. The city mails notices at 3 and 5 false alarms, and you can appeal each within 30 days of the notice. After the 5th false alarm in a permit year, if you don't ask for review within 30 days or the review upholds it, police stop treating your alarm as an emergency: no patrol car is sent, though an officer nearby may check. While an eligible review is pending you keep emergency response. The status lasts until your next permit year.[4,2]
How to get or renew a permit in Denver
- Apply or renew online at denvergov.org[2].
- Address: Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection, 201 W. Colfax Ave., Dept. 206, Denver, CO 80202.[2]
- Give your permit number to your alarm monitoring company.
- Renew every year for $25, up to 30 days before the permit expires. Any fines owed to the city are added to the renewal invoice. A late renewal keeps the same permit number with new dates. No refunds if you cancel.[5,2]
Who files: The alarm user: whoever owns, leases or uses the alarm. The city asks for one online account per customer; alarm companies should not file new applications from their own company account.[4,3]
Good to know
- Self-installed and self-monitored systems: Not confirmed. Denver's permit pages say a permitted alarm must be monitored by a licensed alarm company. The code's definition covers systems connected to a monitoring center, private security service or police/fire, and leaves out sounder-only local alarms; it does not mention self-monitored, app-only systems. Ask the alarms office (alarms@denvergov.org) about a self-monitored system.[2,3,4]
- Panic and hold-up alarms: Panic and hold-up (police alert) alarms need a permit, and every false one that police respond to costs $50, starting with the first.[4,3]
- Before police are sent: Before asking for police, the monitoring company must try to verify the alarm (by phone or another city-approved method) when possible; the city asks for at least two calls to your two phone numbers. Panic, hold-up and other police alert alarms are exempt from verification.[4,6]
- Not sure which rules apply to your address?: Not confirmed. Denver's alarm pages do not include an address lookup. If you are not sure your address is in the City and County of Denver, email the alarms office at alarms@denvergov.org.[2]
Business and other non-residential alarms
Avoiding false alarms
- Make sure everyone who has a code knows how to disarm the system and cancel an alarm.
- Keep your monitoring company's contact list up to date so they can reach someone quickly.
- Let your monitoring company know before guests, contractors or pet sitters use the house.
- Check that doors and windows are fully closed before you arm the system.
- Replace low sensor batteries promptly.
Thinking about a professionally installed, monitored system? See how SafeStreets installation works.
SafeStreets serves this area: home security in Denver.
Sources
- City and County of Denver (via Municode), Denver Revised Municipal Code Sec. 32-46.5: Alarm user (fees) — Ord. No. 770-96. Sec. 32-46.5. library.municode.com. Checked October 27, 2026.
- Denver Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection, New alarm permit application. Apply online; Once you have your permit; Alarm penalties; Canceling your permit. www.denvergov.org. Checked October 27, 2026.
- Denver Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection, Burglar alarms: Frequently asked questions. Alarm permits; Am I fined if I have a false alarm?. denvergov.org. Checked October 27, 2026.
- City and County of Denver (via Municode), Denver Revised Municipal Code Ch. 42, Art. IV: Alarm Systems — Ord. No. 1003-25 (7-28-25) amendments shown. Secs. 42-102, 42-104, 42-106, 42-107, 42-111, 42-112, 42-115. library.municode.com. Checked October 27, 2026.
- Denver Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection, Renew an alarm permit. Renew online; Late renewals. denvergov.org. Checked October 27, 2026.
- Denver Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection, Stop false alarms. Enhanced call verification is mandatory. www.denvergov.org. Checked October 27, 2026.
Updates
- October 27, 2026 — first published from official sources.